Ministry with Families

The Family Ministry team facilitates community gatherings through out the year that are fun and meaningful for families with younger children in our church.  Some of those events have been:

This picture is of the "Blessing of the Backpacks" in September 2009. Click on this picture to see more pics at our Facebook page.

• Holyween party
• Advent Wreath making event
• Breakfast with Santa
• Easter egg hunt
• Family Movie nights (monthly)

While not all of these necessarily take place each year, they are good examples of ways in which this team endeavors to facilitate fun family events that also provide us the opportunity to fellowship around a season or holiday while also making our faith an active part of that gathering.

Baptism Preparation Classes

Four to five times a year Shepherd of the Valley holds Baptismal festivals.  These are usually held on the first Sunday of November, the sunday following January 6th (Baptism of our Lord) and once in the spring.  There is also a Baptism Festival held each summer and, occasionally, according to schedules and need, there are sometimes two festivals in the summer.

 Prior to these festivals, we hold a series of three gatherings.  At these gatherings (Baptism Prep Classes) we share dinner together and discuss the significance, meaning and purpose for Christian Baptism.  The text we utilize to foster discussion in these classes is Let The Children Come by Dan Erlander.  These gatherings, lead by the Minister of Church and Community and our Pastor, are casual events, where we hope to provide an open and safe atmosphere to ask questions, dialogue and become more familiar with the Sacrament of Baptism.  The dates of these classes are published in our Weekly newsletter and in our monthly "Visitor". 

Click here for Information about activities and programs for older children and youth